Third baseman Jordan Betts finished a triple short of the cycle, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI on his second home run in as many professional home games. Betts’ big night helped the Lowell Spinners defeat the Tri-City Valley Cats 8-7.

In the third inning, Betts notched the team’s first hit of the game, doubling deep into the left field corner. The Wilmington, N.C., native launched a homer off the left field scoreboard the following frame.

“He had a decent road trip and started feeling more comfortable,” said Spinners manager Joe Oliver. “He’s getting his timing back … getting into a daily grind. He’s starting to swing the bat and feel a bit better here.”

After his shortest outing as a starter last week against New York, Marcus Stroman turned the tables on the Yankees Monday. Stroman, who lasted 3.2 innings in the Bronx a week ago, was terrific in his second game verus the Yankees. He worked a career-high eight innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out seven.

He threw 114 pitches and was able to keep his pitches down in the zone. The only damage off Stroman came in the fourth inning when Mark Teixeira hit a solo home run.

"He was really on," said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. "It was a fantastic job. We really needed that."

Through his five starts with Toronto, Stroman has a 2.43 ERA and has struck out 26 while walking six. He has turned in four quality starts, and his 4.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio is better than any member of the rotation.

"He seemed to be in command of a good breaking ball, and he used it effectively," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

FREIMAN POWERS RIVER CATS PAST ZEPHYRS

Nate Freiman went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Sacramento River Cats past the New Orleans Zephyrs 4-2 at Zephyr Field. Freiman blasted his first solo shot of the evening in the second and swatted his second longball of the evening in the top of the eighth. Entering Friday, Freiman has 69 RBI to lead the Pacific Coast League.

TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2014

HASSAN SOLID IN PAWSOX LOSS

Alex Hassan had a good night at the plate, but the Norfolk Tides scored the final seven runs of the contest to defeat the Pawtucket Red Sox, 9-6. Hassan drilled a three-run home run and an RBI double to help the PawSox built an early 6-2 lead.

Hassan's three-run blast hit off the centerfield batter's high and highlighted a four-run third for Pawtucket. The former Blue Devil is hitting .316 over his past 10 games with six doubles and eight RBI.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2014

PIWNICA-WORMS HEATS UP FOR POTOMAC NATIONALS

Outfielder Will Piwnica-Worms recorded four-straight multiple hit games from June 21-25. During an 11-4 win against Salem June 22, Piwnica-Worms went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and two runs scored. Over his past 10 games, he's batting .394 with four doubles, a home run and six RBI.